Pressing apparatus



Nov. 29, 1960 E. E. FOSTER PRESSING APPARATUS Y 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1957 //%ENTOR.- ahw/h W By%%/ W ATTORNEYS.

Nov.429, 1960 E. E. FOSTER 2,961,784

PRESSING APPARATUS Filed Jan 22, 1957 Y 4 Shets-Sheet 2 28 f (If;

33 I I I m 344 Y I I I 42 i V I INVENTOR' 3 26 27 A g H lam W ATTORNEYS.

N v- 29, 1960 E. E. FOSTER 2,961,784

PRESSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 29, 1960 E. E. rcswgR 2,9 1,784

PRESSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /3 A? 42 INVENTORI gfiua'zgfiada I BY%%WWX%MQ A T TORNEVS.

Unite PRESSING APPARATUS Edwin E. Foster, Majik Ironers, Inc., 402 Capital National Bank Bldg., Austin 16, Tex.

Filed Jan. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 635,158

11 Claims. (Cl. 38-28) .States Patent ing pressure; In my Patents No. 2,231,897 and No.

2,521,708 there is disclosed and claimed a pressing apparatus in which the pressing pressure is'cleveloped through a spring linkage so constructed thata relatively heavy pressing pressure is applied by the exertionof a relatively small controlling force on the operating handle. The present invention relates to pressing apparatus of the same general type and has for one of its objects the provision of apparatus which is extremely simple and compact, easy to use, and capable of storage in a small space.

Another object is to provide pressing apparatus in which a single, easily movable handle functions in different parts of its movement to move the head toward and away from the buck and to apply pressing pressure to the head.

According to one feature of the invention, the handle is so mounted that substantially horizontal bodily move ment causes the head to move toward and away from the buck and pivotal swinging movement in a vertical 2,961,784 Patented Nov. 29, 1960 "ice The apparatus as shown comprises a base frame 10, which may be formed of cast metal or which may be a stamping as desired, extending from the rear to the front of the apparatus and adapted to rest on a table. The base frame may be supported on a cushion block 11 at its forward end and may have a cross bar 12, as best seen in Figure 11, extending transversely across its rear end and carrying cushioning tips 13 to rest on the table. At its rear end the base frame is formed with a pair of spaced, upwardly extending arms 14 which are preferably integrally formed with the base frame.

Adjacent its forward end the base frame carries a padded buck 15 of conventional construction which is supported on an arm 16. As seen in Figure 3, the arm 16 is in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted intermediate its ends on a horizontal axis 17 with a spring 18 urging the free end of the arm upward. In this way the spring resiliently tends to swing the arm and buck counterclockwise but willyield to permit limited clockwise rotation about the pivot 17 to minimize sliding between the head and buck, as explained more fully hereinafter.

' A head 19,-which is preferably electrically heated, is movable toward and away from the buck 15 and for this purpose is supported by a lever 21 pivoted on a fixed horizontal axis 22 within the base frame. The lever 21 I as shown is in theform of a double lever to provide space formounting of the spring mechanism, as described hereinafter, with the two sides of the lever preferably joined by cross piece 39, as shown in Figure 2, and with its top preferably covered by a cover sheet 23 for protecting the operator and improving the appearance of the unit. The

plane operates the spring linkage to apply and release the a pressing pressure.

Another object 'is to provide pressing apparatus in which the spring linkage includes an extensible link controlled by a latch havingone position in which it connects the handle to the linkage for moving it to and from pressing position and a second position in which it latches the handle and head adjacent to but spaced from the buck for storage.

According to a feature of the invention, the linkage is enclosed in a housing lying substantially normal to the base frame of the unit and on which the unit may rest in a vertical position for storage.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressing apparatus embodying the invention in open position;

Figure 2 is a partial section, with parts in elevation, showing the linkage in the position of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 5 and 8 are views similar to Figure 1 showing different positions ofthe parts;

Figures 4, 6 and 9 are views similar to Figure 2 showing the position of the linkage in positions corresponding to Figures 3, 5 and 8, respectively;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the linkage; a

Figure 10 is a side elevation showing the apparatus 111 stored position; and i Figure 11 is a sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing the linkage as. seen from the rear of the unit.

lever is preferably curved so that its central portion passes between the upper ends of the arms 14, between the arms, and extends beyond the arms a sufficient distance to carry the head 19 in proper position for registration with the buck '15. V

The movement of the lever 21 is controlled through a spring linkage comprising a yoke 24 having its two arms pivoted on a fixed horizontal axis 25 at the upper ends of the arms 14 and having a lower cross member 26 connecting its arms 24. The-cross member 26 carries a pair of forwardly extending ears 27 whose forward ends carry a pivotal mounting for one end of a compression spring 28. As shown, a pivot pin between the cars 27 carries a bushing around which one end of the spring 28 is coiled. The opposite end of the spring 28 is pivotally connected to the central part of the lever 21 as by coiling the end of the spring around a bushing 29 pivotally mounted between the sides of the lever 21.

The spring 28 is preferably constructed, as more particularly described and claimed in my Reissue Patent No. 23,974,-to provide a constant compression regardless of the amount of deflection thereof. For this purpose the spring is formed of spring wire coiled with initial tension between the adjacent turns and with the ends projecting beyond the coil andconnected to the bushings on the yoke and the lever. The length of the spring is such that it is normally slightly bowed between its ends, as seen for example in Figure 2, and as the spring is bowed further or released slightly further sothat the degree of bowing is changed, the compressive force exerted thereby will remain substantially constant.

The linkage is controlled by a handle 31 which ispivoted on the centralpart of the .lever 21 on a fixed horizontal axis 32. The handle is of a length to extend forward of the head 19 and slightly beyond the head where it may terminate in a grip portion to be grasped easily and comfortably in the hand of'an operator. To connect the handle to the linkage for operating the same, an extensible link is provided consisting of a larger portion 33 pivoted at its lower end on the lower part of the yoke 24 at a point 34 spaced re'arwardly from the pivotal mounting of the spring on the yoke. An upper link portion 35 fits telescopically within the link portion 33 and is pivoted at its upper end on an axis 36 on the handle at a point spaced rearwardly from the pivotal mounting 32 of the handle. A latch 37 is pivoted on the upper link member 35 and is adapted to engage a notch in the side of the link member 33 to prevent relative movement between the link members or to engage the upper end of the link member 33 to maintain a predetermined minimum length between the pivots 34 and 36. The latch 37 is urged by a spring into engagement with the link member 33 and may be released by a spring pressed button 38 carr ed by the linkage and registering with the upper end of the latch to swing it to its released position.

The linkage is enclosed in a housing construction formed of two telescopically interfitting parts and carried by the handle and the yoke, respectively. As shown, a U-shaped sheet metal housing part 41 is pivoted at 42 to the lower part of the yoke and extends upwardly therefrom overlying the rear end of the lever 21 and the link 33-35. A similar sheet metal housing part 43 is pivoted to the rear end of the handle at 44 and fits telescopically over the housing part 41 to enclose the linkage. The housing parts are connected so that they can slide longitudinally relative to each other but cannot move toward or away from each other so that they will lie at all times in close interfitting relationship around the linkage in all positions thereof. The upper housing part 43 preferably carries a yielding pad 45 of rubber or the like on which the unit may be supported in its storage position, as described hereinafter.

The pressing apparatus is shown in Figure 1 in its open position in which the head 19 is spaced above and to the rear of the buck with the handle 31 lying closely adjacent to the head 19 in a position to be grasped easily by the operator. At this time the linkage will occupy the position shown in Figure 2 with the lever 21 swung counterclockwise about the pivot 22 with the lower point of connection of the spring to the yoke 24 closely adjacent to the pivot point 22 and preferably slightly forward therefrom, as shown. In this position the compressive force of the spring 28 tends to turn the lever 21 counterclockwise to hold the head 19 upward due to the spacing of the lower connection of the spring to the yoke 24 from the axis 22, but since this spacing is relatively close, the actual force exerted on the lever 21 will be small and the lever can be swung downward easily.

After material to be pressed has been placed on the buck, the handle 31 may be grasped and swung forward and slightly downward to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. The handle will be guided in this movement by what constitutes, in effect, a substantially parallelogram linkage defined by one link extending between the pivotal axes 22 and 32, a second link generally parallel thereto constituting the extensible link 3335 and cross links extending between axes 32 and 36 and axes 22 and 34. The handle being guided by this linkage will move bodily forward and its forward end will swing down slightly due to the fact that the linkage is no exactly a parallelogram. At the same time, the lever 21 will pivot about the axis 22 so that the head 19 will swing downwardly and forwardly into contact with the material on the buck 15. If thick material is being pressed, the head 19 will engage the material before it has reached its full downward position and as it moves further it would normally tend to slide over the material. Supporting of the buck on the lever 16, however, enables the buck to swing forward with the head so that the head will not slide over the material to any appreciable extent and the desired pressing operation can be performed.

To apply press ng pressure to the material, the handle is moved downward to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, thereby to swing the linkage to a position in which spring pressure will be exerted on the lever 21.

If the handle is swung down from the position of Figures 3 and 4, it will create a tensIon on the extensible link 33-35 to swing the yoke 24 clockwise about the pivot 25 to the position of Figures 5 and 6. It will be seen that the yoke can be swung easily at this time since the pivots 29 and 25 are substantially coaxial so that very little energy is absorbed by the spring. With the linkage in the position of Figures 5 and 6, the compressive force of the spring is exerted between the lower end of the yoke and the pivotal axis 29 to produce a clockwise rocking force on the lever 21 about its pivot 22 tending to press the head against the buck. The degree of force can be controlled by des gn of the spring and in a practical unit a spring can be employed which will create a force of 200 pounds or more between the head and buck, as desired. At completion of the pressing operation, the handle may be raised with very little effort due to the proximity of the axes 25 and 29, even though the spring may have displaced the axis 29 slightly forward of the axis 25. As the handle is raised, the linkage will swing first back to the position of Figures 3 and 4 to relieve the pressing pressure, and continued raising of the handle will swing the lever 21 and the head 19 counter-clockwise away from the buck. In moving from the position of Figures 3 and 4 to the position of Figures 1 and 2, the spring 28 assists and will hold the lever 21 and head 19 raised while the material is removed from the buck and additional material to be pressed is placed thereon.

When the unit is to be stored, the latch 37 is released by pressing inward on the release button 38 while the lever is in the raised position shown in Figures 3 and 4. The handle can then be swung down idly to the position of Figures 8 and 9 so that it closely overlies the head and when the handle is in this position the latch 37 will swing inwardly into engagement with link part 35 into registration with the upper end of the telescoping link part 33. When the handle is then released, it will tend to swing upward about pivot 32 and the latch will move downward and into engagement with the end of the link part 33 to prevent further collapsing of the telescoping link so that the handle can swing up a slight distance only, as shown in Figures 8 and 10. The spring 28 will tend to swing the lever 21 away from the buck but the amount of movement is limited by engagement of the lever 21 through a resilient pad 46 with the handle so that the head can move only a slight distance from the buck, as shown in Figures 8 and 10. This slight spacing enables the head and buck to dry completely without any liability of scorching the buck in the event the head is still hot. The pressing apparatus is now in condition to be stored and can easily be picked up by the handle and turned to the position shown in Figure 10 so that it will rest on the pads 13 and 44 in an upright position. When so stored, the unit occupies minimum space and can easily be carried by the handle from one place to another, as desired.

When it is again desired to use the apparatus it may be turned back to a horizontal position and the latch 37 may be released to enable the handle to be raised to the position of Figures 1 and 2. In this position the latch will re-engage in the notch beneath the end of the link member 33 so that the length of the link is again fixed and the apparatus is in condition for use.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that this is illustrative only and is not to be taken as a definition of the scope of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Pressing apparatus comprising a base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame adjacent to the bottom thereof, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever for movement toward and away from .the buck as the lever swings about its pivotal mounting, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms, a compression spring connected at one end to the lower end of the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the pivotal connection of the lever to the base frame when the yoke is in non-pressing position, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on an axis-which lies closely adjacent to the pivotal axis of the yoke when the 'head is in engagement with'the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on an axis parallel to the pivotal mounting of the lever, and a link'pivotally connected at one end to the lower part of the yoke and at its other end to the handle on an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of the handle to'swing the yoke and spring about the upper end of the arms and apply pressing pressure to the lever.

2. The construction of claim 1 in which the buck is carried by an arm pivoted on a horizontal axis on the base frame and extending upward therefrom and resilient means urge the arm toward said one end of the base frame.

3. Pressing apparatus comprising a base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame adjacent to the bottom thereof, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever for movement toward and away from the buck as the lever swings about its pivotal mounting, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms, a compression spring connected at one end to the lower end of the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the pivotal connection of the lever to the base frame when the yoke is in non-pressing position, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on an axis which lies closely adjacent to the pivotal axis of the yoke when the head is in engagement with the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on an axis parallel to the pivotal mounting of the lever, an extensible link pivoted at one end to the lower part of the yoke and at its other end to the handle on an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of the handle, and latch means to secure the extensible link against extension and releasable to allow the link to extend.

4. Pressing apparatus comprising a base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame adjacent to the bottom thereof, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever for movement toward and away from the buck as the lever swings about its pivotal mounting, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms, a compression spring connected at one end to the lower end of the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the pivotal connection of the lever to the base frame when the yoke is in non-pressing position, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on an axis which lies closely adjacent to the pivotal axis of the yoke when the head is in engagement with the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on an axis parallel to the pivotal mounting of the lever, an extensible link pivoted at one end to the lower part of the yoke and at its other end to the handle on an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of the handle, and double acting latch means on the link having one position to latch the link in a relatively short position whereby the handle can swing the yoke and spring about the upper end of the arms and a second position to latch the link in a relatively long position to limit swinging of the lever and handle away from the buck.

5. Pressing apparatus comprising a base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame adjacent to the bottom thereof, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever formovement toward and away from the buck as the lever swings about its pivotal mounting, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms, a compression spring connected at one end to the lower end of the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the pivotal connection of the lever to the base frame when the yoke is in non-pressing position, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on an axis which lies closely adjacent to the pivotal axis of theyoke when the head is in engagement with the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on an axis parallel to the pivotal mounting of the lever, telescopically interfitting housing parts pivotally connected to the yoke and the handle respectively and enclosing the yoke and spring, and a link lying within the housing parts connecting the handle to the yoke to swing the yoke about the upper end of the arms when the handle is moved toward the buck.

6. The construction of claim 5 in which the housing parts provide a fiat surface substantially normal to the base frame on which the unit can rest when the handle is adjacent to the buck and latch means are Provided to hold the handle adjacent to the buck.

7. The construction of claim 1 in which the compression spring is a coil spring wound with initial tension between adjacent coils and bowed between its ends to exert a substantially constant compressive force in all operating positions.

8. Pressing apparatus comprising a horizontal base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame near the bottom thereof on a horizontal axis, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever for movement toward and away from the buck, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms on a horizontal axis, a compression spring connected at one end to the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the first named horizontal axis when the yoke is in non-pressing condition, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on a horizontal axis which lies closely adjacent to the second named horizontal axis when the head is adjacent to the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on a horizontal axis, and a link pivotally connecting the handle to the yoke and lying substantially parallel to a line joining the first and second horizontal axes so that when the handle is moved bodily generally horizontally it will move the head toward or away from the buck and when the handle is swung about its pivot it will swing the yoke about its horizontal axis.

9. Pressing apparatus comprising a horizontal base frame having upwardly extending arms at one end, a buck carried by the base frame at its other end, an angular lever pivoted at one end on said one end of the base frame near the bottom thereof on a horizontal axis, a pressing head carried by the other end of the lever for movement toward and away from the buck, a yoke pivoted on the upper ends of said arms on a horizontal axis, a compression spring connected at one end to the yoke on a line lying closely adjacent to the first named horizontal axis when the yoke is in non-pressing condition, means pivotally connecting the other end of the spring to the central part of the lever on a horizontal axis which lies closely adjacent to the second named horizontal axis when the head is adjacent to the buck, a handle pivoted on the central part of the lever on a horizontal axis, a telescoping link connecting the handle to the yoke, and a two position latch on the link to latch it in one position in which movement of the handle toward the buck will swing the yoke about its horizontal axis or in a second position in which the link will limit movement of the handle and head away from the buck with the head spaced slightly from the buck.

10. The construction of claim 8 in which the spring is a coil spring wound with initial tension between adjacent coils and bowed between its ends to exert a substantially constant compressive force in all operating positions.

l1. Pressing apparatus comprising a base frame, a buck carried by the base frame at one end, a lever pivoted on the base frame near its other end on a horizontal axis, a head carried by the lever for movement toward and away from the buck, a handle pivoted on the lever on a horizontal axis, linkage including a first link pivoted to the base frame, a second extensible link connecting the handle and first link, and a spring connecting the first link and the lever, and a latch in the second link having one position in which the second link swings the first link about its pivot to cause the spring to apply pressing pressure to the lever, when the handle is swung toward the buck, and a second position in which the second link holds the handle and head adjacent to but spaced from the buck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,974 Foster Apr. 5, 1955 2,002,240 Emery May 21, 1935 2,231,461 Bush Feb. 11, 1941 2,231,897 Foster Feb. 18, 1941 2,239,991 Bush Apr. 29, 1941 2,690,020 Foster Sept. 28, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 472,166 Canada Mar. 13, 1951 

